Help your child defy body trends and beat the body-shamers

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Help your child defy body trends and beat the body-shamers

6

min

read

Age group

8 to 16 years

Article date

:

01/11/2016

Review date

:

01/11/2016

Whether it's 'size XXS', the 'thigh gap' or the 'ab crack', it seems that every few months brings a disturbing new thinness trend. How can you prevent your child being drawn into social media's latest body obsessions and encourage them to put their health and wellbeing above body perfectionism?

The ever-evolving perfect body shape

From the full-figured beauties depicted by Renaissance painters, to the hourglass figure prized by the Victorians, and from the boyish physique of the 1920s flappers to the shapely curves of 1950s Hollywood stars, there have always been changing fashions in body shape. In today's era of Twitter, Instagram, blogs and memes, the latest body trends can spread around the globe within hours, and impressionable young people may find themselves bombarded with images of the latest 'ideal'.

Recent examples include the 'ab crack' – a visible channel between the abdominal muscles, and the 'thigh gap' – a space between the inner thighs of a woman standing with her knees touching. Celebrities proudly share photos of themselves showing these latest desirable features on social media, and some young people try to follow their example.

Unnatural beauty standards

The problem is that these looks are unachievable for most people. The formation of the abdominal muscles and distance between the thighs, for example, are largely determined by genetics. No amount of dieting or exercise will give your child a thigh gap, ab crack or size 000 figure if their body simply isn't meant to look like that.

Worryingly, trends for 'statement' body parts often promote thinness at the expense of healthiness, and encourage young people to become fixated on one part of their body instead of looking after their wellbeing as a whole. The look they promote may be physically unnatural and – as with all photos these days – it's impossible to tell whether they've been doctored (after all, Photoshop can give anyone a thigh gap).

Body shape competitiveness

Social media has also introduced a new level of competitiveness into body-shape trends, with people keen to get 'likes', 'shares' and approving comments on their body-image selfies. Then there are the hashtag trends, memes and challenges – such as 'is your waist is narrower than a piece of A4 paper?' or 'how many coins can you balance along your collarbone?' When their friends start sharing photos of themselves attempting the latest challenge, it's very hard for some young people to resist trying it too.

And if they’re struggling to achieve the look they aspire to, there's no end of websites, blogs and video tutorials that promise to help them along the way. The internet is full of 'thinspiration' sites and apparent quick-fixes. Whatever their body obsession, there will be online content to fuel it.

Building body confidence

Young people are undergoing huge, often disconcerting, physical and emotional changes, so it's not surprising their body confidence is easily knocked. It's important we keep reminding our children that people come in all shapes and sizes, and there's no such thing as the perfect body shape.

Refreshingly, there are signs of a move away from the conventional (extremely narrow) media definition of beauty. The 'thigh gap' trend sparked a backlash on social media as women christened their curvy upper legs 'mermaid thighs' and shared glamorous photos and amusing advantages – from being less likely to drop their phone through their legs to being able to sit more puppies on their lap.

A growing number of advertisers are seeking to redefine beauty standards and celebrate diversity in their campaigns. H&M, Mars, Diesel and Boots are some of the big names who have followed Dove's lead in using real women who don't meet the slim, tall, Caucasian model stereotype. Lingerie brands Panache and Curvy Kate use inspirational role models rather than professional models to promote their gorgeous underwear, while Sport England's stylish 'This Girl Can' ad focuses on the feel-good factor of exercise – in all its sweaty, jiggly, red-faced glory.

Jennifer Lawrence, Serena Williams, Kate Winslet, Sarah Millican, Kelly Clarkson, Keira Knightly and Kim Kardashian are just a few of the many celebrities who have spoken out against body-shaming after having their weight scrutinised in the media. Meanwhile the fuller figured Adele, Rebel Wilson and Ashley Graham have all reached the pinnacle of their profession in music, acting and modelling respectively.

If your child is anxious about a particular physical characteristic, why not share a few of these body-positive examples with them?

1

Talk to your child

Find out how they feel about their changing body. Which parts do they like most and least – and why? How do their body anxieties compare with your own?

2

Acknowledge their body-image concerns

If your child is worried about an aspect of their appearance, don't dismiss or belittle their concerns. Instead, look for ways you can help them feel more confident about their looks. For example, take them on a shopping trip for clothes that flatter them and enhance their favourite features

3

Watch your language

When you talk about people, whether in the media or your community, avoid making comments – especially negative ones – about their appearance. Instead focus on their talents, skills and qualities. Remember that 'skinny-shaming' can be just as damaging as 'fat-shaming', especially if your child has a naturally slim build

4

Help them see the bigger picture

Bodies are amazing. They enable us to run, dance, swim and climb; they carry and nourish babies; they may serve us for 80, 90, or even 100 years? What does your child really want from their body?

5

Keep track of their social media

You may not be able to scrutinise all of your child’s social media activity, but you can ask them to show you which high profile people they’re following on Instagram, Twitter and similar sites. Why do they like them? What sort of images and messages are they sharing? And do their posts influence your childs?

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next steps

Find a real body challenge. Forget thin thighs – encourage your child to achieve something worthwhile with their body, whether it’s a feel-good hike or bike ride, or a charity run or swim. Perhaps there's something you could do together?

Seek out body-positive role models. Talk about people you both admire for their body confidence – whether in your extended family, the local community or the public eye

Give them a sense of perspective. Encourage your child to get involved in something positive, such as volunteering, a paid job, a creative project or a new hobby, to broaden their horizons and help them see that the shape of their thighs or abs doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things